** The Mental Game **
Hopefully this might help those hitting high mileage for Autumn Marathons.
BE POSITIVE
First and foremost rule BE POSITIVE. That above anything else is the key to success.
Yes you can do it. Get the brain and all thoughts flowing that you will achieve what you are trying to do.
First and foremost rule BE POSITIVE. That above anything else is the key to success.
Yes you can do it. Get the brain and all thoughts flowing that you will achieve what you are trying to do.
YES WE CAN
Whether this is a new Longest run, a first 5Km, a Marathon, it is important to have the mind-set focused on getting there and finishing it.
You must be realistic and not trying to go too far or too fast but just setting out to do what you are attempting.
Worry and doubt only sap the energy from the body. If you have nervous tension, then your Heart rate will be higher before you ever start and that can take from the energy required to complete a run.
Whether this is a new Longest run, a first 5Km, a Marathon, it is important to have the mind-set focused on getting there and finishing it.
You must be realistic and not trying to go too far or too fast but just setting out to do what you are attempting.
Worry and doubt only sap the energy from the body. If you have nervous tension, then your Heart rate will be higher before you ever start and that can take from the energy required to complete a run.
PLAN / FOCUS
Plan what you are doing. Whether it is the pace of a race, or water stops along a training run, don’t leave things to chance. Hit your targets per mile or collect your water at various points and just tick it off in the head that you are on track with the plan. Focus on each part of the run and see yourself striding home in the last mile.
Plan what you are doing. Whether it is the pace of a race, or water stops along a training run, don’t leave things to chance. Hit your targets per mile or collect your water at various points and just tick it off in the head that you are on track with the plan. Focus on each part of the run and see yourself striding home in the last mile.
PRESSURE
Pressure is for tyres. You are a runner and doing your best. No pressure, no apology. Your fellow runners, your family and your friends (even your Dog) will still love you 💞regardless of the outcome. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself. Don’t run with people who put pressure on you either.
Pressure is for tyres. You are a runner and doing your best. No pressure, no apology. Your fellow runners, your family and your friends (even your Dog) will still love you 💞regardless of the outcome. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself. Don’t run with people who put pressure on you either.
REFOCUS
If a plan doesn’t come together, what do I do? Ask yourself why it didn’t work. Was it too fast? Was the day too hot? Did I add too many miles to my previous longest run? Was it just a bad week of rest and nutrition?
If a plan doesn’t come together, what do I do? Ask yourself why it didn’t work. Was it too fast? Was the day too hot? Did I add too many miles to my previous longest run? Was it just a bad week of rest and nutrition?
There can be many reasons for this but most important is to analyse, sort it out, resolve to learn from it and...
DRIVE ON
Fix the mistakes and do not repeat them. You are out there, doing your best. Won’t be many Olympic athletes reading this, only ordinary honest runners doing the best they can. We all make mistakes, tomorrow is a NEW DAY.
Fix the mistakes and do not repeat them. You are out there, doing your best. Won’t be many Olympic athletes reading this, only ordinary honest runners doing the best they can. We all make mistakes, tomorrow is a NEW DAY.
DOUBT
Do not give a voice to doubt, or talk down your ability or chances of succeeding. You are in the middle of a group of runners at mile 14 of a 16 mile run and your leg is a bit sore, you are feeling a bit hungry and you just want to be finished.
“My back is sore”
“My leg doesn’t feel right”
“I don’t think I will make it”.
Do you think you are the only one with this feeling?
“My leg doesn’t feel right”
“I don’t think I will make it”.
Do you think you are the only one with this feeling?
NO....
Do not give in to a moan as this will spread, and soon all will be having the same doubts and misgivings. Lift yourself, try to chat and say how well we are doing. We are awesome.
Find a positive.
Do not give in to a moan as this will spread, and soon all will be having the same doubts and misgivings. Lift yourself, try to chat and say how well we are doing. We are awesome.
Find a positive.
“We are past our previous Long run”
“Cuppa coffee in 2 miles”
“I can have a pint tonight I am so awesome”
“Cuppa coffee in 2 miles”
“I can have a pint tonight I am so awesome”
THANKFUL
Be thankful every day you put on your runners and remember there are many others who would like to and can’t. Run for them, carry someone in your head and succeed for them.
Always, Always thank your running partners for their company. Those friends are priceless.
Be thankful every day you put on your runners and remember there are many others who would like to and can’t. Run for them, carry someone in your head and succeed for them.
Always, Always thank your running partners for their company. Those friends are priceless.
SMILE
Last one and 2nd most important. Smile, have fun, enjoy yourself. Choose to embrace life. We are having a go, we are trying, we are challenging ourselves and do you know what? We are pretty awesome. That is worth a smile.
Last one and 2nd most important. Smile, have fun, enjoy yourself. Choose to embrace life. We are having a go, we are trying, we are challenging ourselves and do you know what? We are pretty awesome. That is worth a smile.
Have a great weekend
#PWR
1 comment:
Great article especially the last part whenever i'm finding it tough no matter the outcome i always say to myself i'm doing this because I love to run
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